Abstract: Optical data storage medium comprising a first disc (11) and a second disc (12) both having an access surface (16) and a storage layer covered by the access surface, wherein the storage layer is adapted to be accessed by a laser beam via the access surface, characterized in that the first disc and the second disc are adapted to be attached to each other in such a way, that the access surface of the first disc covers the access surface of the second disc. Further a device for reproducing information from or recording information into at least one storage layer of such an optical data storage medium.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a data file (20;22) including a representation of a text, e.g. the lyrics of a song, includes obtaining multiple candidate files (13;25) containing character strings, on the basis of a search query submitted to a server system (5) arranged to permit a search of the contents of at least one server (1-3) to be performed, forming a sub-set (19;35) of the multiple candidate files, and forming the representation of the text from at least one of the candidate files in the sub-set (19;35) only. The method further includes comparing data based on at least some of the character strings in the candidate files, and forming the sub-set (19;35) from candidate files for which the data based on at least some of the character strings satisfies a measure of similarity.

Abstract: A method and a control apparatus for driving a lamp (14) in a lighting system, in particular a lamp laving a fast response to a change of an amount of energy supplied through the lamp, in which a device controller 8 is connected with the lamp (14) The device controller (8) receives data values from a system controller (2) to change a light output level of the lamp (14). Upon receiving a data value which is different from a previously received data value the device controller calculates additional data values and distribute the additional data values in a following, time interval to smoothen a transition between different light output levels of the lamp (14).

Abstract: An optical data storage system for recording and/or reading, using a radiation beam having a wavelength X is described. The radiation beam is focused onto a data storage layer of an optical data storage medium. The medium has a cover layer that is transparent to the focused radiation beam. The cover layer has a thickness h smaller than 5 ?m. A cover layer with thickness variation of substantially less than the focal depth, i.e. 50 nm, eliminates the need of dynamic focus control of the objective which is otherwise required in addition to the gap servo. Further a method of optical recording is described using such an optical data storage system by which a static focus control and spherical aberration correction to accommodate medium-to-medium variance is achieved. The static focus control can be realised by optimising the modulation depth of a known signal, e.g. from a lead-in track.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of transmitting a multimedia content from a server to a client device upon request of the client device, said method allowing adaptation of the characteristics of the encoder used for encoding the multimedia content based on the network transmission rate and/or client preference or preferences. The method of the invention consists in encoding the content with various encoder characteristics, thereby providing several encoded multimedia contents, slicing the encoded multimedia contents, thereby providing a plurality of file-based contents, downloading the content file by file while switching from one encoded multimedia content to another so as to change the encoding characteristics, thereby adapting to the network transmission rate and/or client preferences.

Abstract: An array of data values, such as an image of pixel values, is stored in a main memory (12). A processing operation is performed using the pixel values. The processing operation defines time points of movement of a multidimensional region (20, 22) of locations in the image. Pixel values from inside and around the region are cached for processing. At least when a cache miss occurs for a pixel value from outside the region, cache replacement of data in cache locations (142) is performed. Locations that store pixel data for locations in the image outside the region (20, 22) are selected for replacement, selectively exempting from replacement cache locations (142) that store pixel data locations in the image inside the region. In embodiments, different types of cache structure are used for caching data values inside and outside the region. In an embodiment the cache locations for pixel data inside the regions support a higher level of output parallelism than the cache locations for pixel data around the region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an audio encoder and decoder and methods for audio encoding and decoding. In the encoder an audio signal is split into an anechoic signal part and information regarding a reverberant field associated with the audio signal, preferably by a representation using only few parameters such as reverberation time and reverberation amplitude. The anechoic signal is then encoded using an audio codec. At the decoder the anechoic signal part is restored using the audio codec, and the restored anechoic signal part is transformed into the substantially original audio signal by applying reverberance according to the information regarding the reverberant field, preferably by convolution with a room impulse response generated on the basis of the reverberant field information. According to the invention the audio codec involved needs only be capable of encoding anechoic audio signals, thus solving the problem of parametric audio codecs providing poor performance on reverberant audio signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for data communication between a transmitter and receiver over a plurality of serial links, which cause the transmitter to send serialized groups of bits down each lane, in such a way that the first bit of each group (each lane) is guaranteed to arrive in the correct order at the receiving end. Various embodiments of the present invention include declaring a budget for the maximum skew between lanes. In such embodiments, subsequent to determining the skew budget between lanes, the data to be transmitted is divided into groups of N bits, where N is any convenient number larger than M times S, with M being the number of lanes and S being the budgeted skew, in bit times.

Abstract: A method for delineating a bony structure within a 3D image of a body volume. A non contrast-enhanced tissue (reference) structure and a region comprising the bony structure and contrast-enhanced structures are identified (S2, S3) by thresholding or other image segmentation technique. A deformable model generally representative of the bony structure aligned and centred relative to the reference structure (S4) and the model is then deformed (S5) relative to the region of the image including the bony structure so as to fit the model thereto and thereby to delineate the bony structure in the image.

Abstract: A physiological measurement device (10) that concurrently measures a physiological state of an individual and determines an identity of the individual includes at least a measurement component (12), an identification component (14), and processing component (16). The measurement component (12) measures the physiological state of the individual, and the identification component (14) concurrently determines the identity of the individual. The processing component (16) associates the physiological state of the individual with the identity of the individual.

Abstract: In order to distinguish a duplicated record carrier from an original record carrier a pattern is included in a ROM type record carrier that is oriented perpendicular to the reading direction. During illegal duplication the spatial relationship is disturb which can be easily detected. The patterns can be read out simultaneously by the same single read-out spot by including both patterns within the diameter of the optical spot thus guaranteeing that the read-out patterns are actually still spatially close together. Special patterns can be used that allow an easy detection of disturbances caused by the illegal duplication.

Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) systems are provided that utilize x-ray tube spectra in connection with the generation and/or interpretation of CT data. The disclosed systems and methods use x-ray tube spectra associated with CT systems to enhance contrast and/or image quality, e.g., by making use of energy selective detection techniques. The x-ray spectra may be determined in a variety of ways, e.g., incorporation of a spectral x-ray tube model into the CT system, using the output of Monte-Carlo simulations, and/or processing measured experimental spectral tube data for the CT system. The x-ray tube spectra is generally generated by and/or stored in a computer system associated with the CT system and may be used in support of an energy selective detective method and/or generation of spectral CT images.

Abstract: A physiological data analysis component (10) determines a condition of an individual. The physiological data analysis component (10) includes an input component (12) that receives a plurality of different physiological parameters of the individual. A classification component (20) of the physiological data analysis component (10) maps these parameters to a multi-dimensional space having a plurality of regions corresponding to two or more conditions. The classification component (20) determines the condition of the individual based on the region the physiological parameters mapped within. An output component (24) of the physiological data analysis component (10) conveys the condition of the individual to a user of the physiological data analysis component (10).

Abstract: An optical data storage system for recording and/or reading, using a radiation beam, having a wavelength ?, focused onto a data storage layer of an optical data storage medium is described. The system comprises the medium having a cover layer that is transparent to the focused radiation beam, an optical head, including an objective having a numerical aperture NA, said objective including a solid immersion lens that is adapted for being present at a free working distance of smaller than ?/10 from an outermost surface of said medium. The optical head comprises a first adjustable optical element corresponding to the solid immersion lens, means for axially moving the first optical element and dynamically keeping constant the distance between cover layer and solid immersion tens, a second adjustable optical element, means for dynamically adjusting the second optical element for changing the focal position of the focal point of the focused radiation beam relative to an exit surface of the solid immersion lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing staining of a display screen by a user's fingers, by encouraging a user not to touch the surface of a display screen while using a graphic user interface associated with the display screen includes determining a first threshold distance from the display screen within which a user's finger may be detected, determining a second threshold distance from the display screen within which a user's fingers may be detected, the second threshold distance being shorter than the first threshold distance, first detecting when a user's finger is within the first threshold distance, indicating to the user, upon a detection in the first detecting step, that the user's finger has entered a zone proximate to the screen where interaction with a graphical user interface (GUI) is enabled, the GUI enabling manipulating various display functions by movements of the user's finger, second detecting when a user's finger is within the second threshold distance, and indicating to the user, upon a det

Abstract: A method and system for removing periodic disturbances pertaining to turntable and spindle motor errors during recording of a blank optical information carrier. The periodic disturbances are determined in advance and removed only during recording by a repetitive control/learning feedforward control circuit (88).

Abstract: In order to better and more easily identify candidate APs and/or channels, an AP can transmit frames announcing its capabilities in a channel where it is not serving. For example, if an AP is operating in channel 1 and has created a Basic Service Set ID (BSSID) in that channel, it is permitted to transmit frames announcing its capabilities in another channel, for example channel 3, where another AP may or may not be operating.

Abstract: Present inventions relates to a method of digital rights management for content data, comprising the steps of: obtaining (102) at least one bio metric measurement data, modifying (106) the biometric measurement data by using a transformation scheme, and associating (108) the modified biometric measurement data with the content data.

Abstract: A record carrier (10) and a method of recording an image on a record carrier (10) are provided. A plurality of optical property changing layers (12, 14, 16) that change their Color upon the application of thermal energy applied by a laser beam (18) is provided. It depends on the power of the laser beam (18) which layer of the stack is reached and thereby colored. Since the temperature to induce an optical property change increases from one layer to the subsequent layer, a fine adjustment of the laser power is not needed.

Abstract: A portable speaker device comprising a front mounting plate (1) having two openings (1a, 1b) for sound transmission, two loudspeakers (3a, 3b) each fixedly secured to the front mounting plate for broadcasting through one of the openings, a rear mounting plate extending parallel to the front mounting plate (5), and two enclosure bodies (7a, 7b). These bodies are each formed by a plurality of separate ring-shaped enclosure members (11a1-11a5; 11b1?-11b5) axially movable with regard to each other. The members of each enclosure body have a front member (11a1?; 11b1) secured to the front mounting plate in surrounding relation to one of the loudspeakers and a rear member (11a5; 11b5) secured to the rear mounting plate. In a non-operational position of the speaker device, the mounting plates extend closely to each other, whereby the enclosure bodies have a collapsed shape and the device is very compact.